Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: Honoring those who give

Tuesday, Oct. 19, 1999 | 9:50 a.m.

Mike O'Callaghan is the Las Vegas Sun executive editor.

THERE'S SOMETHING special about the people who serve as military, hospital, fire and police chaplains. Next week is National Pastoral Care Week and Fr. Gerry McNulty of the Veterans Administration and Hospital has been named Pastoral Care Giver of the Year for Southern Nevada.

McNulty, born in Longford, Ireland, still serves as a major in the Air Force Reserve. In 1998 he was honored nationally as the VA Chaplain of the Year. His latest honor will be given him at a luncheon on Wednesday by the Rev. Jerome Blankinship, the chaplain for Sunrise Hospital.

The 1999 theme for Pastoral Care Week is "Diversity of Spirituality." This theme rings true with the people serving as chaplains and became imprinted in the minds of the free world during World War II. That's when four chaplains -- a Jew, a Catholic and two Protestant Army chaplains -- died in the cold waters near Greenland as the SS Dorchester slipped beneath the waves. All were first lieutenants: Clark V. Poling and George Fox, Protestants; John P. Washington, Catholic; and Alexander D. Goode, a Jew. A recollection of The U.S. Army Chaplaincy tells the following story.

"Many survivors told of how the chaplains quieted the panic of men frozen by fear at the ship's rail, whom the chaplains forced into boats and life jackets. They told of how they prayed with the men and spoke words of encouragement. Several saw them hand out life belts from a box; when those were exhausted, they took off their own and put them on enlisted men. They helped rig rafts out of timbers, cork, and other materials at hand. They were credited with saving many lives ...

"Exposure to the cold killed many, and those lightly clad suffered most. One witness saw Chaplain Goode give his gloves to another man. After spending eight hours awash in a crowded lifeboat he was rescued. 'Without the chaplain's gloves,' he said, 'my fingers would have frozen stiff. I would never have made it. As it was, only two of us survived of the 40 who were on the boat. I owed my life to the chaplain who gave me those gloves.' "

In the armed services and in military hospitals I came to appreciate the contributions of chaplains. The Nevada National Guard is blessed with an LDS chaplain, Ashley Hall. Next year Col. Hall will retire after 30 years of service. Hall's work among the troops during times of stress is invaluable.

In combat my chaplain was Fr. John F. O'Connor. His jeep carried a sign reading "Bringing Up Father." Out of a cloud of dust that jeep would bring him through mortar and artillery fire when we had wounded brought in from a patrol. He was a special trooper in our outfit.

Diversity of spirituality in our institutions has long been a valuable part of Americana. A few weeks ago, George Skelton of the Los Angeles Times wrote a column that brought this out. George, with more than 30 years reporting on California state government, is one of the most respected people in the newspaper business.

With George's permission I repeat this special story.

"About 30 years ago, the governor was presiding over a Cabinet meeting while some agency head droned on about prison staffing. Back against the wall sat a young lieutenant governor's aide, Steve Merksamer. He remembers it well:

" 'This guy mentioned that, "We have chaplains for Protestant inmates and chaplains for Catholic inmates." Reagan had on these half glasses and his eyes went up. He said, "Hold on. What were you saying again about chaplains?" '

"After the comment was repeated, the conversation proceeded like this:

"Reagan: 'You didn't mention Jewish chaplains.'

"Official: 'Sir we don't have much of a need.'

"Reagan: 'Are you telling me there are no Jewish prisoners?'

"Official: 'No sir, but there are very, very few. We can have our Protestant and Catholic chaplains take care of their needs.'

"Reagan: 'Well, that's just not acceptable to me. I want that changed. If we have Jewish inmates -- even if there's just one Jewish inmate -- I want Jewish chaplains.'

"Merksamer remembers 'dead silence' until the governor spoke again: 'Do you hear me?'

" 'Yes, sir.'

" 'And that was it.' Merksamer says. 'I'm 23 years old, watching Ronald Reagan in action for the first time. He illustrates great compassion and sensitivity and empathy and leadership all in about 20 seconds. And then he goes on. And don't think that didn't have a profound impact on me, particularly as a Jew.' "

Yes, there is something special about the people giving spiritual help to others who serve and are being served. There's also something special about the leaders who recognize the value of these pastoral caregivers.